Today, I'd like to discuss STRESS:
What it is.
Where it comes from.
How it affects the body, mind, and spirit.
What we can each do about it.
WHAT IS STRESS?
Stress is any number of both, physiological and psychological responses, to the stimuli and environment around us. So, in essence, stress is something completely separate from us, that depending on how we perceive a situation, person, event, etc., and react to the stimuli, event, environment, etc., can become very much an internal response .... both physiologically, and psychologically. When stress becomes physiological and psychological, it becomes 'real', and affects the very cellular structure of our being. Depending on how we choose to deal with a response to stress, can differ anywhere from having a headache, to taking an anti-depressant, to becoming completely overcome by it.
WHERE DOES STRESS COME FROM?
Stress comes from wherever (and whenever), you perceive it. Stress can come from sitting in traffic, knowing you're going to be late for a meeting, and feel there's nothing you can do about it. It can come from an inconsolable child, a job that has just been lost, or realizing you've left your purse, wallet, or credit card in a public place, and are an hour away.
First off, let me begin by saying, some stress is good for you. A moderate amount of stress keeps you on top of your game. It keeps you from falling asleep on the job, from taking your relationships for granted, and from going into a state of 'walking' hibernation.
We all experience stress, all to differing degrees. What is highly stressful for one person (say, public speaking, for instance), can be a welcomed opportunity for someone else.
Where does stress come from? Wherever and whenever you perceive yourself as such. Most of the stress experienced, isn't necessarily experienced at all, unless we choose to experience it as such.
In other words, it's not stress or stressful until we, ourselves, acknowledge and label it as such, and begin responding to it as such. Most stress can simply be looked at differently (change of perception), and in response, be responded to differently. Calmly vs. stressfully. Rationally vs. irrationally. Logically vs. reactionary.
In other words:
YOU, AND ONLY YOU, DECIDES WHAT IS GOING TO BE ALLOWED AS STRESSFUL TO YOU, AND TO WHAT DEGREE.
HOMEWORK:
Assess yourself and make a list of those places, people, and events that cause you undue (too much), stress, and another list with those things, places, and people that cause you a 'healthy' amount of stress, and make a third list of the people, places and events that RELIEVE stress.
Now, you have a visual list of what it is you are allowing yourself to become stressed by. A tool to use, to choose a different response. You can even choose to eliminate some of these places, people, and events, if it is in your power to do so. Yes, it's that easy. Don't believe me? Next time you find yourself getting your feathers ruffled, take a look at yourself, and your surroundings (the people, event, etc.), and come up with something different. Make yourself come up with something different! Be creative and you'll be amazed at all the ways you can 'change' a situation, without doing anything, but changing the way you look at it.
A good friend of mine used to tell me, "There is no stress, only people thinking stressful thoughts." When you stop and really think about it, it's true. There can be absolutely no one, and nothing around you, yet, if you choose, you can call up a person or event, or circumstance, and begin dwelling on it ..... all the negatives, of course, and feed yourself a buffet of stressful thoughts. It happens all the time. Just look at the people around you. Look at their expressions, and you can immediately tell who's thinking stressful thoughts, and who is not. Then, go look in the mirror, what do you see? Create that which you desire. Period. Be that which you desire. Period.
HOW DOES STRESS AFFECT THE MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT?
MIND:
Stress is really good for playing tricks on your mind, affecting your thoughts, and ultimately, your behavior. In the mind, as well as, in the body, stress can take on a life of its own, but once it has its way in your mind, it begins to wreak havoc in your body, by manufacturing all sorts of chemicals, and chemical reactions, within the brain. Yes, your brain contains it's own chemical manufacturing plant, that puts out various hormones, as a result. The chemicals and hormones created by stress are NOT health friendly, and really only serve one purpose in times of true stress .... when your life is in danger and a quick response is needed, and all systems 'go', must be achieved. When stress chemicals, and hormones, are constantly flooding the human body, dis-ease results. It's that simple, and that plain why stress must be eliminated.
BODY:
Stress isn't a mystery, it's affects are readily seen through heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and literally every dis-ease you can fathom. Yes, I believe stress is at the bottom of all dis-ease. How does it affect your body? Only you would know. Is it in your stomach, throat, head, arteries, joints, and on and on it goes. What are your symptoms of stress? Write them down and use them as incentive to handle and view situations, people, etc., differently in your life.
SPIRIT:
Whether you consider yourself religious or not, is completely irrelevant here. What I'm referring to in SPIRIT, is your spirit. Are your spirits soaring when you're weighed down with stress? Are you light-hearted? Full of laughter? Of course, not. Stress does affect one's spirit, down to the very core, which is another reason why it must be eliminated.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT STRESS IN YOUR LIFE?
Well, you have your lists for starters, this is to be taken seriously, folks. Get to work on those lists. I've also mentioned the fact that changing your perception, changes everything, so work on changing your perception, there is certainly no shortage of opportunity there.
REST: Stop and smell the roses for goodness sakes. Enjoy the sun on your face, a quiet walk, a long relaxing bath, a stroll on the beach, some relaxing music, uplifting quotes, and so forth.
SLEEP: Be sure you're getting adequate sleep. Forego the evening tv show, social gathering, or sporting event, and opt for a good nights sleep instead. It's amazing what a good nights sleep can do for your perspective.
EAT WELL: The foods that truly nourish you are the ones that are straight from the earth, grown and picked. They are colorful, nutrient dense, and can be eaten as they are, most of the time.
SUPPLEMENT: Take supplements that support the nervous system, such as B Vitamins, for instance, and others. Look them up, and do your homework.
RECREATION: I'm all for having a recreative outlet for stress relief, just so long as it doesn't become imbalanced. When a person is spending all their 'free' time on the slopes when their not working, may not be in their best interest. Remember, balance in ALL things.
Okay friends, that's all from here, for now. Take care and have a super great, stress-free day!
HEALTH!
